Flight of fancy
I came across an online ad yesterday offering me free parking if I buy more than $25 worth of stuff at the Portland Airport on a Saturday between now and New Year's. I've been trying to think of anything in the world that I am less likely to do, and I've concluded that there isn't anything.
A trip to the airport is a necessary evil when traveling to distant places. Practically everything they sell there is hideously overpriced. And there's a nervous edge to the place, at least in the area outside the security theater, which is where you have to shop to get the free parking (two hours' worth). Every now and then something extremely scary happens.
The public area at PDX is a good place to get through as quickly as possible. I don't care how they doll it up, it's not a place a sane person would go to hang out.
The Port of Portland will never admit that spending $2.1 billion on the ridiculous remodel of the airport foyer was a waste of money. Now they're trying to pass the place off as a kind of holiday shopping mall. It's so exquisitely foolish that you know you're in Portland.
I like the remodel. It's a huge upgrade.
ReplyDeletePlease stop voting.
DeleteIsn't the Port commission appointed by the Governor, and they appoint the Director? How do people get to vote on any Port positions?
DeleteOther than bragging rights by company CEOs in their social circles. I never understood the reason for retail outlets at PDX.
ReplyDeleteSo true. People never buy stuff that is typical of the area they visit to take home as mementos or gifts.
DeleteThose stores actually do very well, especially the ones like Powells, Made in Oregon, and Columbia..
DeleteRetail stores at the airport aren’t allowed to price items for more than they do in town, so not sure what overpriced items are being talked about.
DeleteAs for a vibe at security, not any different than the vibe at any other TSA checkpoint in the US - Las Vegas is the only TSA checkpoint I’ve ever experienced weird vibes.
Airport remodel doesn’t impact your property taxes or income taxes, so why the complaining about it?
After The Real Mother Goose closed it's downtown location (where I'd dropped $$$ over the decades for jewelry, glass hearts, and unique gifts), I actually went to PDX a couple of times just to find something at their outlet there. They're now gone, no doubt replaced a soulless chain, and with that departure went the last reason to shop at PDX.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go to the airport and go up in the observation tower and watch planes take off and land. Then we would pick up a white phone and page "Ben Dover". Good times.
ReplyDeleteI remember those times! Hee Hee
DeleteMargaret Atwood was impressed.
ReplyDelete“Please stop voting”……perfect
ReplyDeleteThe last time that I sat foot in the terminal was close to 30 years ago. When some friends and I were on acid and for some odd reason decided to go there late in the evening. Something about flying to Colombia, which of course we never did.
ReplyDeleteBut I have picked up/dropped off quite a few people there in the meantime. I don’t think I could be persuaded now even if I was promised free parking and $25. Sounds about appealing as drinking a glass of milk that has sat out for a month.